Escallonia plant named ‘IB411-7’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct Escallonia hybrid plant named ‘IB411-7’ which is characterized by a compact, densely-foliaged growth, relatively small foliage, red juvenile stems, dark pinks flowers, and the stability of these characteristics from generation to generation.

Latin name of the genus and species: The Latin name of the genus andspecies of the novel variety disclosed herein is Escallonia hybrid.

Variety denomination: The inventive variety of Escallonia hybriddisclosed herein has been given the variety denomination ‘IB411-7’.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to the Australian Plant Breeder'sRights application number 2018/305, filed on Oct. 16, 2018, which isherein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Parentage: ‘IB411-7’ is a hybrid seedling selection resulting from thecontrolled pollination of Escallonia exoniensis ‘Fradesii Nana’ (notpatented), the seed parent, with an unnamed white-flowered progeny ofEscallonia sp. ‘Peach Blossom’ (not patented), the pollen parent. Acontrolled breeding program was undertaken at the inventors' commercialplant nursery in Wonga Park, Victoria, Australia with the goal ofdeveloping a range of Escallonia hybrids that exhibited small foliagesize, varying flower colors and densely foliaged growth habits. As partof the breeding program, controlled pollination took place in the summerof 2010-2011. Seed was collected from said cross and subsequently sownin June 2011. The resulting seedlings were grown to flowering maturityin the summer of 2012. At that time, fourteen selections were made andfurther grown on in the field for evaluation. Cuttings were also takenfrom each selection for container production trials. In February of2015, one seedling was observed which exhibited small foliage, a denselyfoliaged growth habit, and an abundance of dark pink flowers. Theseedling was isolated for further evaluation in order to confirm thedistinctness and stability of the characteristics first observed. Uponconfirmation of distinctness and stability, ‘IB411-7’ was selected forcommercialization.

Asexual Reproduction: ‘IB411-7’ was first asexually reproduced by way ofsoftwood stem cuttings in the summer of 2012 at the inventor's nurseryin Wonga Park, Victoria, Australia. Through seven subsequentgenerations, the unique features of this cultivar have proven to bestable and true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following characteristics have been repeatedly observed andrepresent the distinguishing characteristics of the new Escalloniacultivar, ‘IB411-7’. These traits, in combination, distinguish ‘IB411-7’as a new and distinct cultivar.

-   -   1. ‘IB411-7’ exhibits a densely-foliaged growth habit; and    -   2. ‘IB411-7’ exhibits an abundance of relatively small foliage;        and    -   3. ‘IB411-7’ exhibits red juvenile stems; and    -   4. ‘IB411-7’ exhibits an abundance of dark pink flowers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURE

FIG. 1 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to makethe same in color photographs of this type, exemplary 2 year old‘IB411-7’ plants grown outdoors in Monbulk, Melbourne, Australia.

FIG. 2 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to makethe same in color photographs of this type, exemplary inflorescence andflowers of a 2 year old ‘IB411-7’ plant grown outdoors in Monbulk,Melbourne, Australia.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following is a detailed botanical description of a new and distinctvariety of a Escallonia hybrid plant known as ‘IB411-7’. Plantobservations were made on plants grown in Wonga Park, Victoria,Australia. Unless indicated otherwise, the descriptions disclosed hereinare based upon observations made from 1 year old ‘IB411-7’ plants grownoutdoors in 2 liter nursery containers. Plants were grown under full sunexposure, fertilized with a slow release granular fertilizer product,and were regularly watered with overhead irrigation. Temperatures rangedbetween 13 and 28 degrees Celsius during the day and 3 to 11 degreesCelsius at night. No pest and disease measures were taken. Observationdata were recorded in October of 2019.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain characteristicswill vary with older or, conversely, younger plants. ‘IB411-7’ has notbeen observed under all possible environmental conditions. Wheredimensions, sizes, colors and other characteristics are given, it is tobe understood that such characteristics are approximations or averagesset forth as accurately as practicable. The phenotype of the variety mayvary with variations in the environment such as season, temperature,light intensity, day length, cultural conditions and the like. Colornotations are based on The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, TheRoyal Horticultural Society, London, 1986 edition except where commonterms of color are used.

A botanical description of ‘IB411-7’ and comparisons with the parentplants and closest known comparator are provided below.

-   General plant description:    -   -   Plant type.—Evergreen perennial shrub.        -   Growth habit.—Compact mounding habit.        -   Height.—Approximately 1.0 meter at maturity; 20 cm as            observed.        -   Width.—Approximately 1.5 meter at maturity; 30 cm as            observed.        -   Plant vigor.—Moderately vigorous.        -   Hardiness.—USDA Zone 7.        -   Pest and disease susceptibility or resistance.—Not any more            or less tolerant or susceptible to pests or diseases known            to effect Escallonia sp. such as fungal leaf spot            (Mycosphaerella sp.), oak root fungus (Armillaria mellea),            Chinese wax scale (Ericerus pela), and two-spotted mite            (Tetranychus urticae).        -   Propagation.—Propagation method — Softwood stem cuttings.            Time to develop roots — 4 to 5 weeks. Crop time — From 8 to            10 weeks are needed to produce a fully rooted cutting and 30            weeks to produce a marketable plant in a 140 mm nursery pot,            depending on geographic location.-   Root system:    -   -   General.—Fibrous; freely branched and moderately dense            rooting.        -   Distribution in the soil profile.—Shallow to moderately            deep.        -   Texture.—Juvenile roots are fleshy; older roots are woody.-   Stems:    -   -   Branching habit.—One main stem, itself freely branching, and            giving rise to numerous lateral branches. Lateral branches            arising from as low as soil level which, as the plant            reaches maturity, results in a multi-stemmed plant.        -   Main stem.—Attitude — Upward and outward. Aspect — Rounded.            Strength — Weak to medium strength. Texture — Glabrous.            Luster — Slightly glossy. Color — Yellow-green, nearest to            RHS 145A. Color, oldest wood — Greyed-orange, RHS 174B.        -   Lateral branches.—Quantity — 8. Attitude — Upward and            outward; angle to main stems varying between 30 and 65            degrees. Aspect — Rounded with shallow axial ribs. Strength            — Strong. Dimensions — 24 cm long and 6 mm in diameter.            Internode length — 6 mm. Texture — Moderately glandular.            Luster — Slightly glossy. Color — Yellow-green, nearest to            RHS 144A. Juvenile branches are heavily suffused with            greyed-red, nearest to RHS 181A.-   Foliage:    -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate.        -   Attachment.—Petiolate.        -   Division.—Simple.        -   Shape.—Elliptic.        -   Dimensions.—3.2 cm long and 1.6 cm wide.        -   Apex.—Obtuse.        -   Base.—Attenuate.        -   Margin.—Serrulate.        -   Texture, adaxial and abaxial surfaces.—Smooth; glabrous.        -   Luster, adaxial and abaxial surfaces.—Glossy.        -   Fragrance.—No discernable fragrance.        -   Color.—Juvenile foliage, adaxial surface — Yellow-green,            nearest to in between RHS 144B and 144C. Juvenile foliage,            abaxial surface — Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 144C. Mature            foliage, adaxial surface — Green, nearest to in between RHS            137A and 139A. Mature foliage, abaxial surface — Green,            nearest to in between RHS 137A and 139A.        -   Venation.—Pattern — Pinnate. Vein color, adaxial surface —            Midrib is yellow-green, RHS 144A; all other veins are            colored the same as the surrounding foliage. Vein color,            abaxial surface — Midrib is yellow-green, RHS 144A; all            other veins are colored the same as the surrounding foliage.        -   Petiole.—Dimensions — 5.0 mm long and 1.5 mm in diameter.            Aspect — Round. Strength — Moderately strong. Texture —            Smooth; glabrous. Luster — Very slightly glossy. Color —            Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 144A.        -   Stipules.—None present.-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Type.—Terminal panicle.        -   Natural flowering season.—From late spring into mid-summer            in Wonga Park, Victoria, Australia.        -   Quantity of flowers per inflorescence.—55.        -   Panicle dimensions.—5.0 cm long and 4.8 cm wide.        -   Peduncle.—Dimensions — 4.3 cm long and 0.2 cm in diameter.            Attitude — Near horizontal. Aspect — Generally round and            shallowly axially ribbed. Strength — Strong. Texture —            Densely glandular. Luster — Slightly glossy. Color —            Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 151D; becoming progressively            suffused with red-purple, nearest to RHS 59C, distally.-   Bud:    -   -   Dimensions.—Approximately 9 mm long and 3 mm in diameter.        -   Shape.—Narrow obovate.        -   Texture.—Smooth; glabrous.        -   Luster.—Very slightly glossy.        -   Color.—Red-purple, nearest to in between RHS 57B and 57C.-   Flower:    -   -   General description.—Zygomorphic, tubular flower comprised            of a corolla tube and four dorsal petal lobes and one longer            ventral lobe. Solitary flowers occurring within the foliage.        -   Lastingness.—5 days.        -   Persistence.—Self-cleaning.        -   Fragrance.—Not fragrant.        -   Attitude.—Upright and outward.        -   Pedicels.—Attitude, relative to peduncle — Semi-erect;            approximately 45 degrees. Aspect — Round. Dimensions — 4 mm            long and 1 mm in diameter. Texture — Smooth; glabrous.            Luster — Matte. Strength — Moderately strong. Color —            Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 151D, and heavily suffused with            red-purple, RHS 59C.        -   Calyx.—Quantity of sepals — 5 fused sepals. Arrangement —            Fused into a lobed tube. Sepals — Sepal lobe dimensions — 6            mm long and 3 mm wide. Sepal lobe shape — Broad elliptic.            Sepal lobe apex — Broad acuminate. Sepal lobe margin —            Entire. Texture, inner surface — Moderately glandular.            Texture, outer surface — Glabrous. Luster, inner surface —            Slightly glossy. Luster, outer surface — Slightly glossy.            Color when fully open, inner surface — Red-purple, nearest            to in between RHS 59B and 59C. Color when fully open, outer            surface — Red-purple, nearest to in between RHS 59B and 59C.        -   Corolla.—Quantity of petals — Five. Arrangement — Rotate;            petals are unfused. Dimensions — 12 mm deep and 14 mm in            diameter. Petals — Shape — Narrowly obovate. Dimensions — 15            mm long and 4 mm wide. Aspect — Heavily reflexed. Apex —            Obtuse. Base — Narrow cuneate. Margin — Entire; moderately            undulated. Texture, inner and outer surfaces — Smooth;            glabrous. Luster, inner and outer surfaces — Matte. Color            when opening, inner surface — Red-purple, nearest to RHS            57C. Color when opening, outer surface — Red-purple, nearest            to RHS 57C. Color when fully open, inner surface —            Red-purple, nearest to RHS 57C. Color when fully open, outer            surface — Red-purple, nearest to RHS 57C. Petal color fading            to — Not fading.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Androecium.— Stamens — Quantity — 5. Position — Superior to            the corolla and inferior to the pistil. Overall length — 9            mm long. Filament — Dimensions — 8 mm long and 0.5 mm in            diameter. Color — White, RHS 155D, and moderately suffused            with red-purple, nearest to RHS 57C. Anthers — Shape —            Oblong, with two anther sacs. Diameter — 1.5 mm in diameter            and 2.5 mm long. Color — Greyed-yellow, nearest to RHS 160A.            Pollen — Abundant. Pollen Color — Yellow, nearest to RHS            11A.        -   Gynoecium.—Pistils — Quantity — 1. Stigma — Shape —            Club-shaped. Dimensions — Approximately 1 mm long and 1 mm            in diameter. Color — Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 144B.            Style — Aspect — Rounded. Attitude — Slightly curved towards            the distal end. Dimensions — 8 mm long and 0.75 mm wide.            Color — Yellow, nearest to RHS 4D. Ovary — Position —            Superior. Color — Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 151A.-   Fruit and seed: None observed.

COMPARISONS WITH THE PARENT PLANTS

Plants of the new cultivar ‘IB411-7’ differ from the seed parent,Escallonia exoniensis ‘Fradesii Nana’ (not patented), in the followingcharacteristics described in Table 1 below.

TABLE 1 Characteristic ‘IB411-7’ ‘Fradesii Nana’ Plant height. Tallerthan ‘Fradesii Shorter than ‘IB411-7’. Nana’. General coloration Darkpink. Dark red. of the flower.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘IB411-7’ differ from the pollen parent, anunnamed white-flowered progeny of Escallonia sp. ‘Peach Blossom’ (notpatented), in the following characteristics described in Table 2 below.

TABLE 2 Characteristic ‘IB411-7’ Pollen parent. Growth habit. Moredensely foliaged. Less densely foliage. Plant height. Shorter than theTaller than the pollen parent. ‘IB411-7’. General coloration A darkershade of A lighter shade of green, of the mature foliage. green,relative to the relative to ‘IB411-7’. pollen parent. General colorationDark pink. White. of the flower.

COMPARISONS WITH THE CLOSEST KNOWN COMPARATOR

Plants of the new cultivar ‘IB411-7’ differ from the closest knowncommercial comparator, Escallonia hybrid ‘IB411-1’ (for which a U.S.patent application is being filed concurrently to the instantapplication), in the following characteristics described in Table 3below.

TABLE 3 Characteristic ‘IB411-7’ ‘IB411-1’ General coloration A darkershade of green, A lighter shade of green, of the relative to ‘IB411-1’.relative to ‘IB411-7’. mature foliage. General coloration Dark pink. Midto light pink. of the flower. Anthocyanin Moderately to strongly Noanthocyanin express expression, suffused with a red or light suffusionof a red juvenile stems. coloration. coloration.

That which is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Escalloniahybrid plant named ‘IB411-7’, substantially as described and illustratedherein.